Religious Wedding Ceremonies

Religious wedding ceremonies are the perfect way for a couple to confirm their commitment to each before the eyes of God. Whether or not you normally attend church, having a religious wedding ceremony often provides a renewal of faith which is an unexpected benefit of getting married. In fact, many couples feel that getting married in a church or temple gives their wedding vows special significance that cannot be provided elsewhere.

If you and your fiancé both come from similar religious backgrounds, planning your religious ceremony will be easier to decide on the type of ceremony you desire. If you are of different denominations, you may mutually agree on one religious ceremony or try to combine ideas of both religions. Or you can create your own ceremony.

Catholic: Marriage in a Catholic Church is considered serious and forever. Since marriage is one of the seven sacraments, most parishes require pre-marital counseling so the couple can prepare for their life together. The Catholic Church discourages weddings from taking place on Sundays or holy days and after 6:00 pm on Saturdays. Catholic Churches also require traditional vows be said, although slight changes may be possible. The most traditional and religious ceremony is one that takes place at high noon called a Nuptial Mass. Catholic wedding ceremonies may or may not include a Mass. The following description is for a ceremony that includes a Mass. The ceremony begins with processional hymn, followed by an opening prayer by the priest. The Liturgy of the Word comes next, followed by the Rite of Marriage, which includes the exchange of vows, the blessing of the rings and the exchange of rings. Next is the Liturgy of the Eucharist, followed by Holy Communion. The Lord’s Prayer is then recited and a Nuptial Blessing given. The ceremony concludes with the proclamation of the couple, a closing blessing and a recessional hymn. You may also want to include one or both of the following symbolic rituals: the bride places the bouquet at the shrine or statue of Mary while a prayer is said, or you both light one larger unity candle from two smaller ones to signify your new life together.

Protestant : while most Protestant ceremonies are similar each denomination has its own practices and traditions. Some churches are reluctant to perform marriage ceremonies on Sundays or holy days, although it is allowed. Some churches may have restrictions on ceremony music, use of candles and photography. Many churches will require both of you to attend pre-marital counseling sessions with the minister. For the most part the wedding ceremony follow this order: the wedding begins with a processional that may or may not be a hymn. The minister will open with the words are gathered here to today to join (bride) and (groom) in holy matrimony. He/she then asks for the parent’s blessing after which the vows begin. The couple pledge their love, loyalty and support to one another, until death do us part. The minister may or may not bless the rings (depending on the particular denomination). The couple exchanges rings, which is sometimes followed by a unity candle ceremony. A benediction prayer or the Lord’s Prayer is recited. The couple is then proclaimed and the ceremony concludes with the recessional.

Jewish: Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform are the three groups within the Jewish religion with Orthodox being the most strict in following the Jewish law. The wedding ceremony starts with the badeken, the ceremonial veiling of the bride by the groom. This act symbolizes the value the groom places on the bride’s spiritual rather than physical self. The couple are then escorted to a chupah, an outdoor canopy which represents the couple’s future home. The rabbi then recites the betrothal blessing after which the couple drinks a glass of wine. Next the wedding rings are exchanged. Then the ketubbah, the marriage contract, is signed. This is followed by the recital of seven wedding blessings, after which a second glass of wine is consumed. This glass is wrapped in a napkin and broken under the groom’s foot. This act concludes the wedding ceremony.

Civil: A civil ceremony is performed by a judge or authorized official. Civil ceremonies can take place in a courthouse, judge’s chambers, home, garden, resort, etc. Dress and formality are similar to those found in a religious ceremony. Couples can ask the officiant if they can customize their own vows.